Could our sense of smell be a key to reducing the risk of dementia? A team of researchers from Deakin University think so and are looking for seniors to help test the theory
Create a free account to read this article
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The team's research builds on a growing body of evidence that shows training the memories with smells can improve function in the part of the brain where other memories are stored.
Team leader Alex Bahar-Fuchs said problems with the sense of smell are common in older people.
"In some cases, these problems actually reflect a decline in thinking processes, or cognitive abilities, such as attention and memory," Dr Bahar-Fuchs said.
"In fact, a very early sign of dementia due to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease is a decline in people's sense of smell, which is often present years before the onset of other symptoms.
Dr Bahar-Fuchs said the areas of the brain which process smells are affected early on by the pathological processes seen in Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.
"Losing our capacity to smell not only affects quality of life, but also places people at risk for loss of independent living as they are less likely to identify and respond appropriately to smells that indicate danger, such as leaking gas or smoke," he said.
The Mind Your Nose Study will compare the effects of a smell-based Olfactory Memory Training program (OMT) with those of a Visual Memory Training program (VMT) in older people who are concerned about cognitive decline.
"There is some evidence that training one's memory for smells improves memory more broadly, whereas training one's visual memory only improves memory for visual information," Dr Bahar-Fuchs said.
The study is currently recruiting participants aged 65 and older who are living in metropolitan Melbourne and have concerns over changes in their thinking and memory.
Participants will be randomly assigned to complete either smell-based or visual based memory training over a four week period in their own homes. They will also be required to complete three assessments over the course of the study.
For more information on the study, email study manager Courtney Chesser on myn_study@deakin.edu.au.
